Earth's population has fallen asleep. Victims of a strange plague. Shem Quentin reawakens into a city transformed into an urban desert by severe storms. Other humans also re-emerge to form various psychotic factions, determined to reshape the world to match their former ideals. Unwilling to participate in their schemes, weary of conflict and uncertainty, Shem determines to remain a neutral Observer, suspecting the environment has its own agenda. This Edition contains a Revised Text. Cover Illustration 'Communication Breakdown,' by the Author.